Uniforms, Customization and Accessories

The Washington State Department of Enterprise Services is conducting a competitive solicitation (#03424) for a cooperative purchasing agreement covering uniforms, customization, and accessories across Washington and Oregon states. The procurement seeks vendors to provide comprehensive uniform solutions for various government agencies, including shirts, pants, boots, outerwear, coveralls, belts, holsters, and hats, along with associated services such as alterations, repairs, and customization. Evaluation criteria include cost (810 points), non-cost factors (200 points for optional value-added services), and additional points for firms without mandatory individual arbitration. The solicitation covers multiple jurisdictions across Washington's six geographic regions and Oregon, with bids due on March 28, 2025. Key dates include a question deadline of March 10, 2025, anticipated answers by March 17, 2025, announcement of the apparent successful bidder by April 30, 2025, and anticipated contract award by June 2, 2025. Bidders must provide a minimum 5% discount off catalog prices and meet specific technical specifications, including safety certifications for uniform items and detailed product quality standards.

The solicitation includes specific set-aside provisions for small businesses and veteran-owned businesses, with up to one reserved award per region in Washington State. Eligible purchasers include Washington state agencies, political subdivisions, tribes, federal agencies, and public benefit nonprofits. The contract allows for up to three main awards for Washington/Oregon, with additional opportunities for certified small or veteran-owned businesses. Vendors must meet extensive insurance requirements, including $2 million per occurrence commercial general liability coverage and $1 million automobile liability coverage. A mandatory vendor management fee of 1.25% of the purchase price will be required. The contract term is 36 months with a possible 24-month extension, based on performance metrics including a 95% on-time delivery rate. Historical annual sales were approximately $4.1 million, suggesting a significant market opportunity for successful bidders. Vendors must provide both telephone and online ordering capabilities and maintain customer service operations during standard business hours.